Fech fech

Fech fech (Arabic: فش فش‎) is a very fine powder caused by the erosion of clay-limestone terrain and it is most commonly found in deserts.[1] It consists of a surface horizon of pulverized soil with low particle cohesion[2] protected under a thin crust. It is not determinable from the surface and can therefore pose a significant transportation hazard acting as a surprise "trap" as the ground collapses beneath a vehicle miring it in a quicksand-like substance.

Fech-fech is classified into two types:[2]

  • Fech-fech that developed during the Holocene, in lake mud or fluvio-lacustrine sediments.
  • Fech-fech that developed from shale.

Fech fech is common in the Qattara Depression, making that portion of the Sahara Desert impassable by most vehicles.

See also

References

  1. ↑ U., Cooke, Ronald (1993). Desert geomorphology. Warren, Andrew., Goudie, Andrew., Cooke, Ronald U. London: UCL Press. ISBN 0203020596. OCLC 71368681.
  2. 1 2 Encyclopedia of geomorphology. Goudie, Andrew. London: Routledge. 2004. p. 364. ISBN 1134482760. OCLC 252833849.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.